The majority of fantasy football leagues enter the second round of playoffs, while others are likely just beginning their postseason. There are still some big moves that can be made on the waiver wire.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Priority Free Agents
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
The unfortunate news regarding Nick Chubb‘s broken foot means the Browns are likely to use Ford as the lead back once again. Ford already had a role carved out as the receiving back, but his role as the leader in an offense that can put up points with Jameis Winston under center clearly makes him the top addition regardless of need. Without much need to hold onto FAAB, managers should make some heavy bids.
Availability: 57%
FAAB: 80-90%
RB Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions
RB David Montgomery (knee) is expected miss the rest of the regular season and perhaps beyond, leaving the 1b role open for Reynolds to fill. The veteran back has flashed a few times in his prior limited action, averaging at least 4.2 yards per carry over his 131 total carries as a Lion. He has scored only once over that time, though, and we’ve seen Reynolds chip in admirably as a receiving outlet with 22 catches on 24 career targets. Look, he’s no Montgomery, and he won’t see as close of a workload to Jahmyr Gibbs as the man he’s replacing, but Detroit’s thorough commitment to the ground is enough to warrant an immediate roster addition.
Availability: 99%
FAAB: 70-80%
RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
The severity of Alvin Kamara‘s groin injury is unknown, but it could have massive fantasy implications. The Saints offense isn’t one to target with enthusiasm, but it’s difficult to find starting running backs at this point in the season. Miller very well could take over as the lead back if Kamara is shut down. The second-year back was the leader after Kamara exited, so managers shouldn’t be shy about going after him.
Availability: 89%
FAAB: 70%
RB Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
Though Breece Hall (knee) made his return after missing one game, Braelon Allen played just 10 snaps before exiting with a back injury. Hall appears to be playing through an injury, which is surprising considering the Jets are out of contention. However, Davis wound up playing just four fewer snaps and running one route shy of Hall throughout the game. He’s probably not a startable asset but if Hall is ever shut down again, he’s worth having on the roster over, say, a WR3 option who might not see the starting lineup over the next two weeks.
Availability: 83%
FAAB: 50%
RB Sincere McCormick, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders play Monday night, so this will be something to monitor, but there was a clear shift in usage within the Las Vegas backfield in Week 14. McCormick earned a 94% running back rush share and 9% target share while playing a season-high 61% of the snaps. If that role holds true, McCormick has fantastic matchups against Jacksonville and New Orleans coming up to end the fantasy playoffs.
Availability: 56%
FAAB: 50%
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We gave McMillan a shout-out last week, but his breakout performance deserved another one. The rookie wideout once again ran just as many routes as Mike Evans, and he’s been getting consistent snaps in the slot, which was his natural position in college. McMillan posted a 5-75-1 line against a solid Chargers defense and has posted target shares of 25% and 23% over the last two weeks, respectively.
Availability: 92%
FAAB: 40%
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Probably rostered but worth a look. Watson has been far more consistent and productive since the Packers came out of the Week 10 bye. Excluding the goose egg he put up in Week 12, Watson has averaged 96.8 receiving yards per game and a 21% target share since coming out of the bye week. The Packers offense can change its WR1 from week to week, but Watson seems to be building a nice rapport with Jordan Love to end the season. He’s worth a look for receiver-needy teams.
Availability: 48%
FAAB: 40%
Grab-n-Stash
Suggested FAAB usage for potential stash players shouldn’t exceed more than 5%. It’s best to try to get these players without spending any FAAB at all, if possible.
WR Tim Patrick, Detroit Lions (97% available)
He’s probably not worthy of a start just yet, but the Lions are slinging it. Patrick has three touchdowns and 15 targets over his last two games. Meanwhile, he’s averaged 44 yards per game over his last four.
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (59% available)
At this point, it’s probably difficult to trust Coleman in the starting lineup unless absolutely necessary. He just came back from an injury that landed him on the Reserve/Injured list, and he saw just two targets last week. Still, he played the most snaps and ran the third-most routes among Bills wideouts.
Running back handcuffs to stash or monitor
- Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (68% available)
- Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (95% available)
- Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (95% available)
- Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (85% available)
- Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (81% available)
- Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (56% available)
- Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (97% available)
- Patrick Taylor, San Francisco 49ers (74% available)
Streamers of the Week
QB Jameis Winston at Cincinnati Bengals (67% available)
Despite the obvious risk of a dud like last week, Winston is in a strong spot to deliver. The Bengals are allowing the third-most fantasy points, sixth-most aerial yards and fifth-most passing touchdowns on a per-game basis this season.
QB Cooper Rush vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (92% available)
It may not be pretty, but Rush has been fine for fantasy purposes. He’s had multiple touchdown passes in three of his last four games, while the Bucs are allowing the fourth-most passing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season.
TE Juwan Johnson at Green Bay Packers (87% available)
Though there’s always a chance Johnson finds the end zone, this is purely a matchup-based play. The Packers are allowing the sixth-most receptions and seventh-most receiving yards on a per-game basis to the tight end position.
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo at Indianapolis Colts (95% available)
Those desperate for a tight end can take the risk with Okonkwo in Week 16. He has at least three receptions in each of his last three games and is coming off season-high marks with 10 targets and eight receptions last week. The matchup is there as well given the Colts have allowed the third-most receptions and eighth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. New York Giants (63% available)
An extremely moveable object meets an incredibly stoppable force. The Falcons defense is among the league’s worst, but they should still be able to get the job done against a Giants offense that has surpassed 20 points just once since Week 6 and has allowed multiple sacks and at least one turnover in each game since Week 8.
Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. Tennessee Titans (79% available)
The Titans are the best matchup for opposing defenses on a fantasy points per game basis. They’ve allowed the fourth-most sacks, the most fumble recoveries, and the second-most interceptions this season.
PK Cam Little at Las Vegas Raiders (99% available)
Little is coming off a perfect 4-for-4 game, and he gets to face a Raiders team that has allowed the most fantasy points and fifth-most field-goal attempts on a per-game basis this season.
PK Daniel Carlson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (89% available)
In the same game here, we’ll roll with Carlson, who has made multiple field-goal attempts in three of his last four games. Weather won’t be an issue here, and Jacksonville is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to kickers this season.
